Methods for improving plant growth-monitoring

ABSTRACT

Methods of improving the growth of a plant by applying a plant growth effective amount of a plant growth composition that includes a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of a sucrose ester, a lignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and a phosphate ester to plant propagation material in the absence of insect pest pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/640,285, filed Mar. 6, 2015, which application is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/217,603, filed Mar. 18, 2014, whichapplication claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/887,109, filed Oct. 4, 2013, thedisclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods of improving the growth ofa plant by applying a plant growth effective amount of a plant growthcomposition that includes a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and atleast one dispersant selected from the group consisting of a sucroseester, a lignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonicacid formaldehyde condensate and a phosphate ester to plant propagationmaterial in the absence of insect pest pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to the world's increasing population and decreasing amount of arableland, there is a pressing need for methods to increase the productivityof agricultural crops. Given this need to produce increased amounts offood and feed, plants are increasingly being grown in varied locationsand/or under climactic conditions in which insect pressure does notexist. For example, more and more crops are being produced ingreenhouses or other shelters where insect pressures can be easilyminimized. Plants with increased cold and/or drought tolerance are beingdeveloped which may eventually permit them to grow under climacticconditions which are inhospitable to their traditional insect pests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments provide a method of improving the growth of a plant byapplying a plant growth effective amount of a plant growth compositionthat includes a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and at least onedispersant selected from a sucrose ester, a lignosulfonate, analkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensateand a phosphate ester to plant propagation material in the absence ofinsect pest pressure.

In some embodiments, the plant growth composition includes: a) about 1%to about 20% of hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and b) about 0.2%to about 20% of at least one dispersant selected from a sucrose ester, alignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acidformaldehyde condensate and a phosphate ester; where all % are % byweight based upon the total weight of all components in the composition.

In some embodiments, the plant propagation material is selected fromseeds, spores, bulbs, cuttings, sets, rhizomes, tubers, meristem tissue,plant cells, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the plant growth composition is applied at a rateranging from 100 g/ha to 500 g/ha. In other embodiments, the plantgrowth composition is applied at a rate ranging from 200 g/ha to 300g/ha.

In some embodiments, the plant is selected from corn, cotton, soybean,sunflower, wheat, barley, rye, oat, and oilseed rape. In someembodiments, the plant growth composition further includes a liquidfertilizer. In other embodiments, the plant growth composition furtherincludes at least one of an anti-freeze agent, an anti-foam agent and abiocide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods of improving the growth ofa plant by applying a plant growth effective amount of a plant growthcomposition that includes a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and atleast one dispersant selected from a sucrose ester, a lignosulfonate, analkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensateand a phosphate ester to plant propagation material in the absence ofinsect pest pressure. Preferably, the plant growth composition includesa) about 1% to about 20% of hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and b)about 0.2% to about 20% of at least one dispersant selected from asucrose ester, a lignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside, anaphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and a phosphate ester;where all % are % by weight based upon the total weight of allcomponents in the composition.

In another embodiment, the plant growth composition consists essentiallyof a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and at least one dispersantselected from a sucrose ester, a lignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside,a naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and a phosphateester. The composition according to this embodiment can include anyadditional components that do not materially affect the plant growtheffectiveness of the previously-recited ingredients.

In a further embodiment, the plant growth composition consists of about1% to 20% of a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate; about 0.2% to 20%of at least one dispersant selected from a sucrose ester, alignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acidformaldehyde condensate and a phosphate ester; about 1% to 90% of analkyl polyglycoside surfactant; about 0.001% to 1% of an antimicrobialpreservative; about 0.001% to 1% of an antifoam agent; about 1% to 20%of propylene glycol; and water.

The modifier “about” is used herein to indicate that certain preferredoperating ranges, such as ranges for molar ratios for reactants,material amounts, and temperature, are not fixedly determined. Themeaning will often be apparent to one of ordinary skill. For example, arecitation of a temperature range of about 120° C. to about 135° C. inreference to, for example, an organic chemical reaction would beinterpreted to include other like temperatures that can be expected tofavor a useful reaction rate for the reaction, such as 105° C. or 150°C. Where guidance from the experience of those of ordinary skill islacking, guidance from the context is lacking, and where a more specificrule is not recited below, the “about” range shall be not more than 10%of the absolute value of an end point or 10% of the range recited,whichever is less.

As is employed herein, the term “plant growth effective amount” refersto an amount of a plant growth composition which will increase thegrowth and or vigor of the plant to an extent exceeding that ofidentical plants not treated with the plant growth composition. It ispreferred that the rate of application of the plant growth compositionbe in the range of from about 100 grams of composition per hectare(g/ha) to about 500 g/ha, more preferably in a range of from about 200g/ha to about 300 g/ha.

As is employed herein the term “plant propagation material” includesplant seeds, spores, bulbs, cuttings (e.g. stems, roots leaves, and thelike), sets, rhizomes, tubers, meristem tissue, single and multipleplant cells, and any other plant tissue from which a complete plant canbe obtained.

The term “in the absence of insect pest pressure” includes situations inwhich insect pests are not present in the growth area of a plant, aswell as situations where such insect pests are present within the areaof growth of a plant but in a quantity which is not harmful to the plantand which does not interfere with the growth of the plant.

The improved plant growth obtained employing the methods of thisinvention include increased root length, increased shoot length andincreased seedling weight, relative to plants which have not been sotreated.

As is employed herein, the term “plants” includes agricultural,silvicultural and horticultural (including ornamental) plants. The term“plants” also includes genetically modified plants in which geneticmaterial has been modified by the use of recombinant DNA techniques.Such techniques permit modifications that cannot readily be obtained bynatural breeding or mutagenesis, such as, for example, cross-breedingunder natural circumstances, natural mutations or natural recombination.

Preferred plants which may be treated in the process of this inventioninclude, but are not limited to, barley; brassicas, such as broccoli,Chinese broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Cavalo broccoli,kohlrabi, cabbage, Chinese cabbage and Chinese mustard cabbage;cilantro; coriander; corn, cucurbits, such as chayote, Chinese waxgourd,citron melon, cucumber, gherkin, gourd, muskmelons (including cantalope,casaba, crenshaw melon, golden pershaw melon, honeydew melon, honeyballs, mango melon, Persian melon, pineapple melon, Santa Claus melonand snake melon), pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash and watermelon;cotton plants; dried beans and peas, including bean, field bean, kidneybean, lima bean, pinto bean, navy bean, tepary bean, adzuki bean, favabean, blackeyed pea, catjang, cowpea, crowder pea, moth bean, mung bean,rice bean, southern pea, urd bean, broad bean, chickpea, guar, lablabbean, lentil, pea, field pea and pigeon pea; eggplant; lettuce; leafybrassicas/turnip greens including broccoli raab, bok choy, collards,kale, mizuna, mustard spinach, rape greens and turnip greens; oats;oilseed rape; okra; peppers; rapeseed; rye; sod; soybeans; spinach;succulent peas and beans including pea, dwarf pea, edible-pod pea,English pea, garden pea, green pea, snow pea, sugar snap pea, pigeonpea, bean, broadbean, fava bean, lima bean, runner bean, snap bean, waxbean, asparagus bean, yardlong bean, jackbean and sword bean;sunflowers; tobacco; tomatoes; tuberous and corm vegetables includingpotato, sweet potato, arracacha, arrowroot, Chinese artichoke, Jerusalemartichoke, edible canna, cassava, chayote, chufa, dasheen, ginger,leren, tanier, turmer, yam bean and true yam; and wheat.

The plant growth composition may be applied to the propagative materialby any means, including direct application, as a seed treatment, infurrow or band applications, by means well known to those in the art.

Optionally, the methods according to the present invention includeapplying a plant growth composition in combination with a liquidfertilizer.

The plant growth compositions used in the methods disclosed hereininclude a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and at least onedispersant selected from the group consisting of a sucrose ester, alignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acidformaldehyde condensate and a phosphate ester. The dispersant ordispersants are preferably present in a total concentration of from0.02% by weight to 20% by weight based upon the total weight of allcomponents in the composition.

In another embodiment, the plant growth composition includes a hydratedaluminum-magnesium silicate; at least one dispersant selected from thegroup consisting of a sucrose ester, a lignosulfonate, analkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensateand a phosphate ester; and a liquid fertilizer. The term “liquidfertilizer” refers to a fertilizer in a fluid or liquid form containingvarious ratios of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (for example, butnot limited to, 10% nitrogen, 34% phosphorous and 0% potassium) andmicronutrients, commonly known as starter fertilizers that are high inphosphorus and promote rapid and vigorous root growth. The liquidfertilizer is preferably present in a concentration of from 95.00% byweight to 99.99% by weight based upon the total weight of all componentsin the formulation.

Optionally, the plant growth composition further includes at least oneof an anti-freeze agent, an anti-foam agent and a biocide. Theseformulation components are well-known in the agrochemical arts. In oneembodiment, the anti-freeze agent is a polyalkylene glycol, preferablypropylene glycol, and when present, is present in an amount from about1% to about 20% by weight, preferably from about 4% to about 10% of thetotal of all components in the composition. In an embodiment, theanti-foam agent is an alkylcyclotetrasiloxane, preferably anoctamethylcyclo-tetrasiloxane silicone emulsion, for example, DOWCORNING® AF Emulsion or DOWCORNING® ANTIFOAM C Emulsion (Dow ComingCorporation). When present, the anti-foam agent is present in an amountof from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight, preferably from about 0.01%to about 0.5% of all the components in the total formulation. Thepreservative can be an isothiazolone or a mixture of isothiazolones, forexample, KATHON® CG/ICP preservative or LEGEND® MK preservative (Rohmand Haas Corporation) or PROXEL™ BR preservative (Avecia Corporation).When present, the preservative is present in an amount of from about0.001% to about 1% by weight, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.5%of the total of all components in the formulation.

The hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate is preferably selected from thegroup consisting of montmorillonite and attapulgite. The phosphate esterdispersant is preferably selected from the group consisting of a nonylphenol phosphate ester and a tridecyl alcohol ethoxylated phosphatepotassium salt.

The examples serve only to illustrate the invention and should not beinterpreted as limiting since further modifications of the disclosedinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All suchmodifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention asdefined in the claims.

EXAMPLES

Preparation of Compositions

Plant Growth Composition A

A plant growth composition was prepared by combining 64.25 grams ofwater, 9.50 grams of propylene glycol, 7.00 grams of tridecyl alcoholethoxylated phosphate potassium salt (Dextrol®OC-180 available fromDexter Chemical Corp), 8.00 grams of an alkyl d-glucopyranoside(Agnique® 9116 available from Cognis Corporation), 0.15 gram ofpolydimethylsiloxane (CowCorning® AF available from Dow CorningCorporation), 0.1 gram of an isothiazodone compound(Kathon® CG/ICPavailable from Rohm and Haas/Dow Chemicals) and 11.0 grams ofattapulgite clay (Attaflow® FL available from Englehard). The mixturewas stirred until homogenous.

Seed Treatment

Hybrid sweet corn seed (Incredible SE Yellow) was treated with eitherPlant Growth Composition A or a commercially available bifenthrinformulation (Capture® LFR). Corn seed (97.16 grams) was coated with 2.84grams of Composition A in a seed coating apparatus and allowed to dry.Similarly, 97.12 grams of corn seed was coated with 2.84 grams ofCapture® LFR and allowed to dry approximately 48 h prior to seeds beingplanted into a moist 50/50 Pennington soil/sand mixture. Seeds wereinserted into a hole at a depth of 1″. Twenty, 6″ pots were set-up foreach treatment with two corn seeds per pot (Total 40 seeds/Treatment).Pots were held under greenhouse conditions for 17 days on an Ebb andFlow bench to allow for equal irrigation between treatments andreplicates. Corn heights were measured at 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, and 17 daysafter planting (DAP). At 17 DAP, each plant was extracted from the soiland evaluated for shoot length, root length, wet shoot weight, and wetroot weight. Roots and shoots were placed within a drying oven atapproximately 60° C. At 4 and 7 days after plant extraction, dry shootand root weights were evaluated. An untreated check was also evaluated.

Results

Composition A and Capture® LFR treatments provided greatly improved rootgrowth, shoot growth, root weight, and shoot weight when compared to theuntreated seed. The average percent seed germination per treatment ispresented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Average percent germination by corn seed treatment andevaluation interval 5 7 10 12 14 17 DAP DAP DAP DAP DAP DAP CompositionA 55.0 67.5 67.5 67.5 67.5 67.5 Capture ® LFR 55.0 70.0 75.0 75.0 75.075.0 Untreated Check 42.5 60.0 62.5 65.0 62.5 62.5

The wet weights of each shoot and root were measured at 17 DAP (Table 2& 3) and correlated well to dry weights after 7 days of drying; dryweights were assessed at 4 and 7 days after inserted into a drying ovenat 60° C.

TABLE 2 Average weight reduction of corn shoots and roots weighedimmediately after soil extraction (wet) compared to 4 and 7 days withinthe drying oven (dry) Shoot Weight (gams) Root Weight (grams) TreatmentWet Dry (4 d) Wet Dry (4 d) Dry (7 d) Composition A 1.86 0.16 1.57 0.250.25 Cpature ® LFR 1.72 0.15 1.64 0.3 0.29 Untreated 1.37 0.12 1.16 0.210.19 Control

The corn shoot height was measured at 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 and 17 days afterplanting and the root length was measured after removing each plant fromthe soil and cleaning the roots with water. The average of thesemeasurements is summarized in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Average shoot height (cm) and root length (cm) at varyingevaluation dates Shoot Height Root Length Treatment 5 DAP 7 DAP 10 DAP12 DAP 14 DAP 17 DAP 17 DAP Composition A 2.5 4.5 13.3 20.0 25.0 32.020.37 Capture ® LFR 2.4 4.4 12.4 19.0 24.0 30.0 19.41 Untreated Control2.0 3.2 10.10 14.0 20.0 28.0 15.09

While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferredembodiments, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the artthat variations in the preferred compositions and methods may be usedand that it is intended that the invention may be practiced otherwisethan as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this inventionincludes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of improving the growth of a plantcomprising applying a plant growth effective amount of a plant growthcomposition comprising a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and atleast one dispersant selected from the group consisting of a sucroseester, a lignosulfonate, an alkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonicacid formaldehyde condensate and a phosphate ester to plant propagationmaterial in the absence of insect pest pressure, wherein the plantgrowth composition excludes an insecticidally active component.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the plant growth composition comprises: a)about 1% to about 20% of hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate and b)about 0.2% to about 20% of at least one dispersant selected from thegroup consisting of a sucrose ester, a lignosulfonate, analkylpolyglycoside, a naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensateand a phosphate ester; where all % are % by weight based upon the totalweight of all components in the composition.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the plant propagation material is selected from the groupconsisting of seeds, spores, bulbs, cuttings, sets, rhizomes, tubers,meristem tissue, plant cells, and combinations thereof.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the plant propagation material comprises at least oneseed.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant growth composition isapplied at a rate ranging from 100 g/ha to 500 g/ha.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the plant growth composition is applied at a rateranging from 200 g/ha to 300 g/ha.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theplant is selected from the group consisting of corn, cotton, soybean,sunflower, wheat, barley, rye, oat, and oilseed rape.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the plant is corn.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plant growth composition further comprises a liquid fertilizer. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the plant growth composition furthercomprises at least one of an anti-freeze agent, an anti-foam agent and abiocide.